The Wolf Within Me
Chapter 38:

Eliana: “Good morning and welcome to seven News. I’m Eliana Woods. In today's news, a student attending Meadow Lake University, Lucas Smith, has been found dead. The body was found on Hawthorne Manor grounds. The Hawthrone’s are the prime suspects. The reason for death are still not confirmed. Although allegations have been made. The Hawthorne’s believe it to be an animal attack. Now live in the Hawthorne manor. With the Hawthrone’s and reporter Daniel Dawson.”

Daniel Dawson: “Thank you, Eliana. I’m here with the Hawthorne’s who claim to know precisely what happened to Lucas Smith. What do you think of your allegations? But you believed it to be an animal attack.”

Mrs. Hawthrone: “Not just any normal animal attack. Wolves.”

Mr. Hawthrone: “We're not talking about your average wolf either.”

Daniel Dawson: “What other type of wolves are there?”

Mrs. Hawthorne: “Wolf shifters.”

In Daniel Dawson’s head: I knew the Hawthrone’s were a little eccentric, but not insane. Does this have to happen on my report?

Daniel Dawson: “There have always been myths and legends in the town of Meadow Lake. But there are myths and legends for a reason. (Mrs. Hawthorne laughs)”

Mrs. Hawthorne: “Of course you don't believe us. Who believes in fantasies really?”

Mr. Hawthorne: “Unfortunately, we have to. We're not alone. It's time the humans know. But the government has been hiding from us.”

In Daniel Dawson’s head: This could ruin or start my mediocre career. But this is insane, right? Insane.

Mrs. Hawthorne: “We have proof. Lucas Smith was murdered by a wolf shifter. It's time to open your eyes to a new reality. We're beasts roam among. And they’re coming for all of us. We need protection. You will all believe soon.”

Daniel Dawson: “If you have such strong claims. Who are these wolf shifters?”

Mr. Hawthorne: “All around us. You could be talking to a human or a wolf shifter. They can take on the form of a human. They turn into deadly beasts whenever they choose.”

Mrs. Hawthorne: “This means wolf shifters hide in plain sight. The government can no longer hide this secret from us. I have the recording of a wolf shifter transforming into a piece. Soon it will appear on everyone's tv screens. (showing Kiani transforming into her wolf - back at the news station)”

Eliana: “Did everyone witness that? (River’s bedroom - River and Kiani shocked)”

Kiani: “Holy…”

River: “Mother…”

Kiani: “Of wolf shifters!”

River: “To be honest, I'm surprised this hasn't happened sooner. The Hawthrone’s are scared. This is how they protect themselves.”

Kiani: “I’M ON FUCKING TV!”

River: “But they have the Mystic Hunter’s and Fang’s pack to protect them. What made them react so drastically now?”

Kiani: “RIVER! MY FACE IS ALL OVER THE TV WHILE I’M SHIFTING!”

River: “It's good you hardly know anyone. Okay, who am I getting? I get it. This is a really huge problem. Rocco is going to freak the hell out!”

Kiani: “ROCCO’S GOING TO FREAK OUT! I’M FREAKING OUT! Surely this must have happened before, right?”

River: “Not to this extreme. No one has ever recorded our shift.”

Kiani: “Fucking great.”

In Kiani’s head: Trust me to be the first famous wolf shifter.

Kiani: “Surely the wolf shifter community can handle this. Leaks are bound to happen. However, they must have a plan and please.”

Sierra: “We've been a myth for centuries. Human governments wanted to keep us that way. We don't bother the humans and stick to our wolf shifter community rules and humans theirs. But this will be hard for them to cover up with technology these days. Humans are curious. They're relentless. We can't hide forever. We’ll have to learn to live together out in the open. This is going to be far from easy. Especially when they already claim us as a beast. The alphas of each wolf community we'll have to meet.”

Kiani: “It could be CGI…”

Sierra: “It doesn't matter. It's out there and will be investigated. The Hawthorne’s knew they couldn't win with blood. River’s right, this is how they protect themselves by revealing us. Now we can't outright kill them. I hate to admit it, but it’s smart.”

Kiani: “But it's my face that's all over the tv.”

Sierra: “Yes, I know.”

Kiani: “Now we're again linked to Lucas's death. The police who handled it last time won't think twice now this has come out. So we're-”

River: “Screwed.”

In Kiani’s head: Wolf shifters have been exposed and it's all my fault.

River: “Where’s Rocco?!”

Kiani: “Out for a run, but I sense that he's back now.”

Sierra: “You should go to him.”

Kiani: “I mean, you’re his mother!”

River: “Ohhh boyyy!”

Kiani: “NOT HELPING RIVER! (in the garden)”

In Kiani’s head: Maybe he'll take this reasonably well. He's going to explode.

Kiani: “Hey you. You just seem so calm today. That run must have done you some good, huh?! (Rocco shifts back into his human form)”

Rocco: “Why do you look tense? Why have I got an innocent Kiani in front of me?”

Kiani: “We have a new situation. It's kind of global. Mrs. Hawthorne decided to record me shifting and presented it to the world. Well, on the seven news. All while claiming wolf shifters are real and we're coming for them all. So my face is everywhere now. You still love me, don't you, baby?!”

In Kiani’s head: Here comes the veins.

Rocco: “So you're telling me the secret we've kept until the dawn of time is out?”

Kiani: “I’m sorry Rocco, it’s all my fault!”

Rocco: “It was bound to come out sooner or later. So that's really the dirty play the Hawthorne’s are planning. It won't save them. (Kiani’s shocked). Let the games begin. It's about time we stopped hiding from humans. We did at first want to be left alone. But now it's just an inconvenience. The wolf shifter Community has been talking.”

Kiani: “WHAT ABOUT MY FUCKING FACE?! Everyone's going to think I killed Lucas.”

Rocco: “Which we will soon rectify. Don't you trust me, baby?!”

Kiani: “Just when things couldn't get any crazier.”

Rocco: “You make things extremely crazy.”

Kiani: “I'm not doing all of this on purpose. (they kiss)”

Rocco: “We better warn our pack and alliances. Humans always react badly to things.”

In Kiani’s head: Rocco took that well. Rocco’s right, I highly doubt the world will welcome us with loving arms. Over the next few weeks. The whole world is looking at Meadowlake. Wolf shifters are on everyone's minds. (the seven news station)

Daniel Dawson: “No one can CGI that sort of footage. The proof is there. Wolf shifters live among us and who knows what other magical beings do as well. This is only the beginning, mark my words.”

Eliana: “How has our government kept such a big secret?”

Daniel Dawson: “Of course the government didn't want this coming out. (talk shows)”

Iris: “I think it's pretty cool. Wolf shifters, dude. Come out and play, I see. The world was getting boring, in my opinion.”

Paula: “Don't you forget that they're dangerous? They turn into giant wolves. But also can be humans. You could be a wolf shifter for all I know. They've already murdered that poor boy Lucas.”

Host: “Maybe it's like us as humans, some are good and some are bad. Surely we can't condemn their whole kind for one act of murder. We don't even know the whole story. We lived with them for centuries and we humans are still here. I think they wanted to stay a secret. To stay a myth.”

Iris: “I would like to know who the girl is in the recording. It looked like she was in a cage. Maybe we should question why the Hawthorne’s had her in a cage?”

Paula: “Probably for their own safety.”

Iris: “I think we could learn a lot from this new species. If they're coming for us all like Mrs. Hawthorne Said, wouldn’t it already have happened by now?”

Host: “Only time will tell, ladies. Well, that's always got time on Looster Ladies. See you guys next week. (protesters outside)

In Kiani’s head: Some people are really against wolf shifters. (Embry sets Fang’s pack on fire - in the conference room inside)

Angelina: “We’re meant to be on the same fucking side.”

Embry: “When hell freezes over, we'll be on the same side as mutts. (Fang’s office)”

In Fate’s head: Fang’s not here. Coward. He would let his pack die. So be it, but Fang can't hide forever. He's next. (outside Fang’s pack house)

In Fang’s head: I WILL NOT BURN WITH MY PACK! (Darkwood gate the next day)

In Kiani’s head: The Hawthorne’s dropped another news bomb that the Darkwood’s are a pack of wolf shifters in Meadow Lake. Also dropping my name as being Luna of the pack. The face of the video recording.

Maia: “This is ridiculous. I feel like a goldfish on display.”

Asher: “Or in the circus.”

Maia: “All they're waiting for is for one of us to shift. As if we're going to do it in front of them. It will blow their tiny little minds. Seeing the transformation in real life.”

Asher: “Rocco’s talking with the human government as we speak. Kiani has to make a public statement. That she's no threat to humans. We're going to have to live in peace with them somehow. Remember, Kiani thought she was human. Maybe she's the best spokesperson for us. If it came down to war, the world would be a damn mess.”

Maia: “That's why we've always kept it a secret. If humans think they're going to take away our freedom I will gladly go to war.”

Asher: “Let's just hope it doesn't come to that.”

Maia: “I trust Kiani and Rocco to negotiate. But what are other packs going to think? They better not blame it on us. This is all the Hawthrone’s doing.”

In Curtis’ head: I'll kill them for what they did today Lucas.”

Haley: “This all seems like some bad joke.”

Peyton: “Why did we have to come here?”

Curtis: “Those animals killed Lucas. My best friend, Peyton.”

Haley: “I know you're angry, but what are we supposed to do about it? We don't even know where Brooke is. I don't even know if you realize, but they're not human. Kiani was one of them the entire time.”

Peyton: “Do you think it was her who killed Lucas?”

Curtis: “All I know is that one of those wolf shifters did. Lucas needs justice. I don't know where Brooke is, but her family exposed them. She should be with us.”

In Haley’s head: I've never seen him like this. When we found out Lucas died, we were all in shock. I even thought it was Brooke which I'm ashamed of. Now, wolf shifters, I don't understand this madness. It's a scary new world. Kiani What did the last person or wolf…should I even believe anymore? I just wanted to get through college.

Peyton: “I hope Brooke’s okay. I haven't heard from her in ages.”

Curtis: “Brooke?! Lucas is dead! Brooke should show up! JUSTICE FOR LUCAS!”

In Asher’s head: Hmm…who’s he? (a week later in Rocco’s office)

Kiani: “I’m tired of all of these damn official meetings with the government.”

Rocco: “If Conan confessed to killing Lucas, it would be easier. But you know what humans are like with their damn loss. We're going to have to agree with them. An agreement that will work with both parties.”

Kiani: “Who knows what they'll do to my uncle if we hand him over, Rocco. Billie Jean Would never allow it, for starters.”

Rocco: “He may be your long-lost uncle, but he killed a human In Cold Blood. Humans are defenseless against us. Until they're not.”

In Rocco’s head: Making weapons against us in case we ever attack all of mankind.

Kiani: “I know my uncle took a human life, I knew Lucas. But we should never judge him under our laws. The Hawthorne’s Should answer for their crimes. Kidnapping me and keeping me caged.”

Rocco: “They wouldn't care. All they know is that we turn into monsters. That's all they see. They couldn't even comprehend. They still think you killed Lucas, Kiani.”

Conan: “I'll confess to the humans what I did.”

Kiani: “No, that's what we're trying to prevent, uncle.”

Conan: “Kiani. You're my niece. My brother's daughter. I've protected and raised your brother, Kylo. I never had a chance to protect you. So I will now. I killed the boy, Kiani. I was reckless.”

Rocco: “Okay.”